Upper Egypt

Region

The heart of ancient Egypt. Luxor has Karnak and Luxor temples and the Valley of the Kings, Nile cruises stop at Edfu and Kom Ombo, Aswan has Philae, Nubian villages and felucca sailing, and Abu Simbel's colossal temples are near the Sudanese border. Abydos and Dendera are in the north. October to April is the season.

Upper Egypt Mortuary temple of HatshepsutTemple of EdfuMedinet HabuTemple of Kom OmboThebesAbydosLake NasserElephantineDenderaValley of the QueensDeir el-BahariTomb of TutankhamunHierakonpolisPhilae IslandTheban NecropolisRamesseumThinisDeir el-MedinaDendera Temple complexUmm El Qa'abIpet-SutKV8ElkabGebel el-SilsilaKV9Famine StelaLuxorAswanValley of the KingsKarnakPhilae temple complexLuxor TempleAbu SimbelColossi of MemnonEdfuSohagQenaEsnaNag HammadiAkhmimKom OmboGirgaQiftQusNaqadaArmantTahtaEl BalyanaAbu SimbelEl-Tod

Upper Egypt essentials

Country: Egypt
Driest months: Jan-Mar
Pay in: Pound (£,ج.م)
Language: Arabic
Emergency: 122

Where to Go in Upper Egypt

City Luxor LuxorOpen-air museum of temples and royal tombs City Aswan AswanNile city of feluccas, Nubian villages and Philae City Edfu EdfuCity in Egypt with ancient temples Island Elephantine ElephantineNile island with ancient ruins and archaeological remains Island Philae Island Philae IslandNile island housing relocated Philae temple complex Island Sehel Island Sehel IslandNile island with ancient quarries and pharaonic inscriptions History Abu Simbel Abu SimbelRock-cut temples built by Ramses II in southern Egypt History Valley of the Kings Valley of the KingsAncient Egyptian royal tombs on Nile's west bank History Colossi of Memnon Colossi of MemnonTwin massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III History Medinet Habu Medinet HabuNew Kingdom mortuary temple complex of Ramses III Nature Lake Nasser Lake NasserEnormous reservoir behind Aswan High Dam Nature Temples of Wadi es-Sebua Temples of Wadi es-SebuaPair of New Kingdom temples relocated in Aswan
Regions & Cities
Luxor Explore Luxor The Nile-side fields give way to temple fields in Luxor: Karnak’s avenue of sphinxes, Luxor Temple at dusk, and the Valley of the Kings. Aswan Explore Aswan Sailing past Philae, granite quarries and the High Dam, Aswan offers slow felucca rides and Nubian villages reachable by boat. Valley of the Kings Explore Valley of the Kings On Luxor’s west bank, the Valley of the Kings contains pharaonic tombs-including Tutankhamun’s-with painted burial chambers and hieroglyphic inscriptions that draw archaeologists and guided-tour visitors. Karnak Explore Karnak Near Luxor, Karnak is a sprawling temple complex centred on the Great Hypostyle Hall with rows of sandstone columns and obelisks; visitors explore carved reliefs, the avenue of sphinxes and evening sound‑and‑light shows. Philae temple complex Explore Philae temple complex Philae temple complex, relocated to Agilkia Island after the Aswan High Dam, contains temples to Isis with intact reliefs; tourists reach it by boat from Aswan to tour colonnades and pylons. Luxor Temple Explore Luxor Temple Luxor Temple sits on the east bank with massive columns and reliefs from Ramesses II and others; tourists visit its colonnades, illuminated night views, and walking links to the Karnak complex. Abu Simbel Explore Abu Simbel Two massive rock‑cut temples at Abu Simbel were relocated in the 1960s to avoid Lake Nasser; tourists travel from Aswan to see Ramses II’s colossal statues and the twice‑yearly solar alignment in the inner sanctuary. Colossi of Memnon Explore Colossi of Memnon The Colossi of Memnon are two seated stone statues of Amenhotep III on Luxor’s west bank; visitors photograph the 18‑metre figures and explore surrounding temple remains.

Upper Egypt at a Glance

Local Time
2:13 AM
GMT+2
Population
10,855,874

Best Things to Do in Upper Egypt